Job summary
Do you have expertise from your own experience of caring for someone with mental health problems? Are you looking for an opportunity to share what you have learnt with other Carers and to work with a community mental health team to improve Carer engagement and involvement?
We are looking for a new Carer Peer Support Specialist to be based at the East Brighton Community Mental Health Centre, working with the Specialist Older Adults Mental Health Service. The team works with older people who have mental health needs and/ or a dementia diagnosis. Many of the people we work with have friends or family who act as unpaid carers. The role of the Carer Peer Support Specialist is to provide information and support to these Carers; to help them understand the mental health system and to help them work collaboratively with our clinical team to achieve the best possible outcomes for their loved ones.
Main duties of the job
The Carer Peer Support Specialist works collaboratively and aims to assist in improving the wellbeing of family and friend carers of people who use the Specialist Older Adults Mental Health Service through:
Supporting Carers directly.
Providing useful information for Carers about mental health
Building support networks for Carers.
Working with the clinical team to build collaborative alliances with Carers who may be struggling.
Contributing to service development by ensuring the ‘Carer voice’ is always represented.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Health care or relevant NVQ Level 3 or equivalent skills acquired through experience
- A recognised Peer Support qualification, e.g. Level 3 Certificate in Peer Support Work, or an in-depth understanding of peer support approach
- Evidence of a commitment to lifelong learning
Experience
Essential
- Lived experience as a family member/carer for someone with severe mental illness
- Knowledge of the mental health system and carers support services
- Understanding of family issues, including in culturally diverse communities
- Experience of giving and receiving peer support and ability to describe the benefits
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Closing Date: 27 August 2026
